Sleepy soldier in car-crash chaos

Last updated 12:00 04/12/2012

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A tired soldier has caused thousands of dollars of damage in Palmerston North and kept tow trucks busy after the car he was driving veered across the road and crashed into three parked cars, before coming to rest on the pavement.

One person was nearly hit.

Just after 5pm yesterday the soldier was travelling along Church St towards Hokowhitu when police said he fell asleep at the wheel of his Ford Mondeo, which then drifted across the road just before the Church St-Albert St roundabout.

No-one was hurt in the incident, which was attended by police and ambulance officers.

Kelvin Lowndes, owner of Happy Pawz kennels and cattery, had just got out of his Ford stationwagon and was getting his kit bag out the back of the car to go to Fight Shop gym when he was just missed by the wayward vehicle as it slammed into the back of his car, spinning it 180 degrees.

"It was lucky no-one was on the footpath," said Mr Lowndes.

The crash attracted a large group of people wanting to see what had happened.

Regan Ridge was inside his flat when he said he "felt the crash, rather than heard it".

When he went outside Mr Ridge said he saw his Mitsubishi Chariot had been hit and pushed into his flatmate's Mazda Astina.

"I heard the alarm go off and thought someone was stealing it, to be honest."

The driver was attended by St John at the scene but did not need further treatment.